In a multidirectional operation switch, a lower case covers the bottom of a substantially cylindrical upper case. A rocking body is held between the upper case and the lower case to be capable of rocking. The rocking body has a plurality of depressing parts radially projecting from the center thereof, and an operating shaft projecting upwardly therefrom. A plurality of switches are depressed by the plurality of corresponding depressing parts according to rocking of the rocking body to establish or break electrical contact. A resilient member and a tactile feedback member are housed in the lower portion of the rocking body. The tactile feedback member is urged by the resilient member and brought into contact with a recess provided in the lower case.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A multidirectional operation switch comprising: (a) a substantially cylindrical upper case; (b) a lower case covering a bottom surface of said upper case; (c) a rocking body held between said upper case and said lower case to be capable of rocking, said rocking body having a plurality of depressing parts radially projecting from a center thereof, and an operating shaft projecting upwardly therefrom; (d) a plurality of switches each of which is to be depressed by a respective one of the plurality of depressing parts according to rocking of said rocking body to establish or break electrical contact; (e) a resilient member housed in a lower portion of said rocking body; and (f) a tactile feedback member housed in a position below said resilient member in the lower portion of said rocking body; wherein said tactile feedback member is urged by said resilient member and brought into resilient contact with a recess provided in said lower case; wherein said rocking body has a spherical fulcrum portion, that is a center of rocking, in a middle thereof leading to the operating shaft; wherein said upper case has an upper support having a first spherical curved surface; wherein said lower case has a lower support having a second spherical curved surface; wherein the fulcrum portion is held by the first spherical curved surface and the second spherical curved surface; and wherein centers of the spherical fulcrum portion, the first spherical curved surface, and the second spherical curved surface are in substantially the same position.
2. The multidirectional operation switch of claim 1 , wherein said tactile feedback member has a projecting tip part in resilient contact with the recess.
3. The multidirectional operation switch of claim 2 , wherein a side aid lower case is formed of a plurality of inclined planes having different inclinations.
4. The multidirectional operation switch of claim 1 , wherein a side aid lower case is formed of a plurality of inclined planes having different inclinations.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 6, 2003
February 8, 2005
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